LONDON – A gay man carrying the Olympic torch today on the streets of London was cheered by spectators when he kissed his boyfriend during his stretch of carrying the device that will light the giant Olympic Flame tonight during the opening ceremony that will be telecast by NBC in the U.S. on a tape-delay basis.

Chris Basiurski, who chairs Gay Football Supporters Network in Great Britain, was one of thousands of Britons who were chosen to carry the Olympic torch over the past 70 days as part of the Olympic Torch relay that leads up to the lighting ceremony.

Basiurski told the spectators that he and his partner, James, would be getting married next year.

Gay Star Newsalso reported that comedy gay icons Eddie and Patsy of the hit TV show “Absolutely Fabulous” and other LGBT figures also were torch bearers.

Basiurski’s network focuses on the LGBT soccer community in Britain, and many of its members will be attending Olympic events such as the soccer tournament.

He told Gay Star News: “I’m honored to have carried the torch through London and it was amazing to see and hear all the support from both my family and GFSN members along the route.”

Ken Williams, Editor in Chief of San Diego Gay & Lesbian News, is a former sports writer who has covered a Super Bowl for Scripps-Howard News, and has attended several World Series games, soccer and baseball playoff games, and even a World Cup soccer match. Williams will be reporting on LGBT Olympians at the London 2012 Olympic games.